Prince George certainly didn’t mind setting their alarms a little bit earlier this morning (Dec. 10).
A hot meal was waiting for them at Kin Arena and served by volunteers for the second annual Christmas Wish Breakfast after donating new or gently-used toys that will be distributed to kids in need this winter season.
Society Chair Valerie Marsh says the experience has been overwhelming positive in recognizing the true spirit of the holiday season.
“There’s may be even triple the amount of people that were here last year, so the decorations are gorgeous and we’ve got a lot more of that than last year as well,” said Marsh in an interview with PrinceGeorgeMatters.
“We’ll likely triple [the number of gifts] last year too. It’s always unnerving putting on a free event because you don’t know how many people are going to show up and then getting stuck with the bill at the end of it all. We’ve gained so much attraction; we’ve had eight hockey teams show up here, there’s twice the amount of first responders that are here supporting, you know, you walk in and they’re here to greet you. There’s lots of new faces and lots of warm fuzzy feelings here for sure.”
A toy pyramid was created in the Kin Atrium by first responders as they cheered each time an individual or group brought in a donation.
Many Prince George groups, like the @BobcatsNorth seen here, have been bringing in toys for the Christmas Wish Breakfast 🧸 All donations are going to local non-profits in the city | #CityOfPG @PGMatters pic.twitter.com/3ez4dZeNQG
— Kyle Balzer (@KyleBalzer) December 10, 2019
Marsh is grateful the 2019 edition of the Christmas Wish Breakfast reached so many people willing to serve that it courts what could happen in 2020.
“We knew off the hop that we had a lot more commitment from different organizations and that, and so we just forecast that we’re doubling and tripling this year and hopefully, next year we can quadruple that.”
“A lot of the share goes to St. Vincent de Paul, and then Big Brothers Big Sisters and then we also we go to the children’s pediatric ward and deliver gifts on [Dec.] 23 and 24 right before Christmas to kids and their families that are in the hospital,” explains Marsh on how the donations will be distributed to the community and also encourages other non-profits to sign up next year.
“We also put on our Facebook page that any organizations that are in need, they are welcome to message us or email the Christmas Wish Breakfast. It’s all online and reach out to us because we want to help.”
Guests were also entertained by the Judy Russell Enchainement Dance Centre, who also performed at the Festival of Trees last month.
Eight hockey teams also came through the doors with gifts galore, including the Prince George Cougars, the Prince George Spruce Kings, and all six teams under the Cariboo Hockey umbrella.
Those attending the 2nd Pronce George Christmas Wish Breakfast are being entertainment with music & dance acts, like the Judy Russell Enchainement Dance Centre that also performed at the Festival of Trees 👏🎄 | #CityOfPG @PGMatters pic.twitter.com/dm8L2nF0Hb
— Kyle Balzer (@KyleBalzer) December 10, 2019
